Christmas in London

[Wafflepup]

I know, I know, it's so early! Sorry! We are planning a weekend in London in early December. DH has been a few times for work, I've been once and it will be daughters first times, they are 8 and 4.

We are coming from Scotland and I kind of want to do uniquely London things, for example I don't think we should do santa at Hamleys... we have a Hamleys in Glasgow for that. Or perhaps I'm wrong, any thoughts?

Any really festive things to do you would recommend?

Avoid winter wonderland and any Santa experience at the famous department stores. They're over priced, busy and a huge disappointment.

Things that I like to do at Christmas;

Walk round the Christmas lights on regent street
One of the ice rinks at Canary Wharf or the natural history museum
Roasted chestnuts
You can do tours of the Christmas lights by black cab as well, that seemed like fun.

Go and see the Nutcracker at the London Coliseum.

There's usually a nice ice rink at Somerset House.

Walk round to see the Christmas lights - make sure you go to Carnaby Street.

Go to Liberty to look at the Christmas department

Afternoon tea in one of the posh hotels

Ooh yes Nutcracker...usually the tickets are available around now.
If it is raining the top of one of the buses that goes through Oxford /Regent St.
Covent garden Apple Market

Bit of a random one but if you can, get tickets to this wherever it is in 2021 (it moves around): www.somersethouse.org.uk/whats-on/museum-architectures-gingerbread-city

I've been to London a couple of times over Christmas and my favourite part is always just walking around looking at the lights. Obviously you won't be able to do to much of that with kids but you may be able to do it for a bit. Last time I went with ds we went ice skating outside the natural history museum which was fab. We went to winter wonderland during the day time and it wasn't to busy. We went to a show but I'm not sure if they will be on this Christmas but it's worth looking for just in case.
My son loved the Lego and m&m shop and I love going to Liberty to see all the Christmas decorations.

I wouldn't bank on things being open this Christmas.

Would probably be a good idea to plan with 2022 (or even 2023) in mind to be on the safe side.

I agree that Liberty is lovely at Christmas. The Harrods toy department is much less hellish and more magical than Hamleys and much the same price (ie about 20% over the best market rate, so it’s worth it for the experience if you’re going to spend no more than twenty quid). Too stressful trying to do Santa there though.

Carnaby Street, Bond Street, St Christopher’s Place and Seven Dials lights are particularly attractive in addition to the main Regent Street lights.

The Royal Festival Hall normally has something interesting going on.

Lots of great stuff already said, but I would add ice-skating at the Tower of London. You can get a boat there and back.

Try to book for after four, as it's absolutely beautifully lit after dark.

Thanks so much everyone, really appreciate your help.

Really good tip about the harrods toy department thank you.

Yes, realise that it might not happen but we have theatre tickets which have been rescheduled twice already... if they are rescheduled again fair enough I'll replan. But as it stands I'm mega excited to be going to London at Christmas!

Random question... are the ice rinks really wet? Just wondering if we go on and one of us (probably me) falls over.. would I spend the rest of the day with a wet, cold bum?!?

[quote milinhas]Bit of a random one but if you can, get tickets to this wherever it is in 2021 (it moves around): www.somersethouse.org.uk/whats-on/museum-architectures-gingerbread-city[/quote]

That looks incredible!! Thanks, I will keep an eye out and see where it is going this year. Would never have known about that.

Look at what is on at the Royal Albert Hall. They usually have carols at Christmas which is really lovely and so festive.

There is also a light festival at Kew Gardens which is lovely, though might be sold out already.

You’ll be the best judge of whether your four year old will be up for this but this is my favourite Christmas thing to do in London. Boutique hotels showing Christmas movies with a delicious afternoon tea or dinner beforehand.

www.firmdalehotels.com/b/firmdale-film-club/

This thread is actually a great reminder for those of us who live in London. I’ve just looked at Nutcracker tickets and can’t believe how many have been sold already!

If it’s all open:

Skating at the natural history museum outdoor rink; you could also pop across to the V&A which always feels festive to me, and usually has a beautiful tree in the foyer

Walk down Oxford Street/ Regent street to see the lights (go at night)

Covent Garden and Seven Dials usually feels very festive, albeit a bit touristy if you want to do a bit of shopping

Similarly John Lewis on Oxford street at Christmas is worth a visit for Christmas department. And Liberty is lovely if you can bear the crowds.

A frosty walk on Hampstead Heath followed by a Sunday lunch at the Holly Bush pub

To be honest, I lived in London for 10 years and my overwhelming memory is being in the pub around Christmas

I wouldn't bank on much being open

But the lights will be on. Ride a bus around the west end and take in Oxford, regent and Bond st

Carnaby is always very unique

South bank used to us r Xmas market stalls

I can't think of anything uniquely london: the xmas markets are generic and sell the same crap you get worldwide

Ice skating at Somerset house or Natural History

Maybe a show?

The Harry Potter studio tour is good at Christmas usually , obviously a bit further out but may be worthwhile as you are coming a long way .

Definitely do the Regent's Street lights. We went to the Palladium for a panto a couple of years ago and came out to fairy land. Marvellous! It does get very, very crowded.

Covent Garden is usually beautiful with the market open (if it is this year).

There's always the London Eye and the Shard. We've been on/up both around Christmas and the view is gorgeous. The Shard Christmas tree was lovely.

Trafalgar Square with the huge Christmas tree is great and you have a lot of street entertainers there.

Top deck of a bus to s3e the lights

Snowman theatre show (Peacock Theatre I think?)

Yes, you will get wet if you fall over! It probably won’t bother you too much while you’re skating, but it would be miserable afterwards. Depending on your outfit though, you might get away with just a change of leggings and pants which wouldn’t take up an enormous amount of room.

Where would people recommend for a Christmas afternoon tea?

@ImSoMagical The Ritz Christmas afternoon tea is amazing!! There is a little choir singing Christmas carols there. We’ve booked again for this year. I don’t think I’ve ever felt more festive in my life. I wouldn’t take kids though.

@NannyAndJohn
Please at least keep your gloom off the Christmas board.

I love Christmas in London. My DD's birthday is in December and we normally go skating at Somerset house. Last time one of the little girls gasped 'It's just like my advent calendar!' which gave me all the Christmas feels. Sorry that's not what you really asked!! If you can get to a carol service at St Martins in the Field (esp the candlelit ones) they are ACE. Also Fortnum and Mason Christmas shop is pretty nice (as is the aforementioned Liberty etc - and Liberty often has a nice window display too).

Thanks for the reminder. I’ve just booked a table at the ice cream parlour at Fortnum for the second week of December. We have an annual tradition of visiting Hamley’s when it opens, then wandering over to F&M for lunch and ice creams, then catch the number 22 bus from outside the store to just next to the Natural History museum. After we’ve finished there, we go to the cafe above the ice rink. It’s beautiful as the sun sets and the trees outside the museum are all lit up